David Williams

Another schoolmaster under Griffith Jones, and a maker of sacred songs also, was DAVID WILLIAMS, who was born near Llandovery, in the year 1718; and died October 1, 1794, at Llandilo-fach, in the county of Glamorgan. Very little is known of him; and it seems probable that still less would be known, were it not for the severity of his domestic trials. His wife was an advanced, pupil of the school of Xantippe; and her violent temper kept the poet's sensitive spirit in exquisite torment. Among other troubles, he had to change his denomination on her account. But whatever of that, as in the case of another sweet singer who had to practise 'on an evil spirit,' his harp lost none of its tenderness of devotion. Some of his verses rank among the best in Welsh hymnology; and one especially is known wherever the Welsh tongue is spoken. He has not enclosed so much systematic theology in his hymns as Morgan Rhys: rather is he the minstrel of the mortal strife of men, with their sorrow and joy and divine endeavour. Many a troubled soul can join him in this remonstrance with doubt: